MX23RW : Tuesday, February 23 13:14:51| >> :120:3678:3678:
Feb 16, 2021 at 8pm UK at Camp Nou
BarcelonaBarcelona
1-4
PSGParis Saint-Germain
Messi (27' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mbappe (32', 65', 85'), Kean (70')
Gueye (20')

How Barcelona could line up against Paris Saint-Germain

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for their Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening.

Barcelona resume their quest for Champions League glory on Tuesday evening when they welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Camp Nou for what should be a fiery encounter in the first leg of their last-16 showdown.

Ronald Koeman's side progressed from Group G as runners-up to set up a tie with PSG, and while on-the-pitch matters will take precedence for 90 minutes in midweek, the tension from PSG's vocal pursuit of Lionel Messi is sure to boil over in Catalonia.

Messi celebrated his record-equalling appearance for Barcelona with two goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Alaves in La Liga on Saturday night - a result which marked Barca's seventh triumph from their last eight matches in all competitions.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Koeman could line his side up for the first leg.



POSS BAR XI vs. PSG

Out: Ansu Fati (knee), Ronald Araujo (ankle), Philippe Coutinho (knee)
Doubtful: Sergi Roberto (muscle), Martin Braithwaite (hamstring), Gerard Pique (knee)

> Click here for Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Messi turned out in La Liga for the 505th time in Barcelona colours on Saturday evening - matching the record previously set by Xavi - and the Argentine marked the occasion with a delightful brace to take him up to 19 for the season in all competitions.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to lead the line against his long-term admirers and should be supported by Antoine Griezmann - who boasts 12 goals and 10 assists this season - and the returning Ousmane Dembele, who will likely replace Trincao despite his brace against Alaves.

Eighteen-year-old Ilaix Moriba made his debut for the club on Saturday, but he was at fault for Alaves' goal on the night as a misplaced pass allowed Luis Rioja to race through and score, and Moriba's fellow teenager Pedri could come back into the side here.

The ever-present Sergio Busquets will certainly reprise his regular deep-lying role after being taken off at half time against Alaves, and with Frenkie de Jong expected to move back into the midfield, Riqui Puig could drop out.

De Jong started at centre-back against Alaves, but Koeman has previously admitted that his team are missing something when the Dutchman is not manning the engine room, so Samuel Umtiti could therefore come in to the defence alongside compatriot Clement Lenglet if no risks are taken over Gerard Pique.

Sergi Roberto scored the sixth goal of Barca's enthralling 6-1 win over PSG back in 2017, but he is unlikely to be passed fit for this one due to a muscular problem, so Sergino Dest is expected to make his return to the starting lineup in place of makeshift right-back Oscar Mingueza.

Junior Firpo was handed a rare start in the Alaves win and scored the last goal on the night, but Jordi Alba is nailed-on to start this one, while Marc Andre ter-Stegen will hope to avoid going six games without a clean sheet in goal.

ID:435127:cQx:QQ:

How you voted: Barcelona vs PSG

Barcelona
64.4%
Draw
13.5%
Paris Saint-Germain
22.1%
1183
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Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman pictured in February 2021
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Ronald Koeman pleased with Barcelona's current form
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